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10 things that really need to change to solve the gas problem
By Meg | May 18, 2008
I’ve been reading a lot lately about rising fuel prices — not that I’ve had to read about them to feel their impact. Even as a stay-at-home writer, rising fuel costs still impact my life. Yet, I feel like my husband and I have it a lot easier than most. I see how it’s hurting people who don’t have their work transportation paid for, those who have to travel frequently for medical care, and especially for those who live in the country and can’t just zip over to the store for groceries.
That’s why it seriously ticks me off that some writers have taken a holier-than-thou attitude when it comes to the gas problem, insisting that rising gas problems are actually good for us because they’ll force people to give up those gas-guzzling SUVs that we all supposedly love to drive for the heck of it. One day soon, they think we’ll all just wake up and decide to walk to work. Sure, there are probably some people who could do that, but many of the writers seem to write from major metro areas and don’t seem to understand the complexities faced by the rest of us. Meanwhile, there are people who are seriously hurt by the rising price of gas.
I’m not trying to excuse bad behavior on behalf of all the other drivers out there. In fact, I’m not here to say that things can’t change. Instead, here is what — in my humble opinion — needs to change.
1. More public transit options
I live in a small city with a decent enough bus line, but I still can’t get around that well using it because everywhere I want to go is on a different spoke of the wheel and there’s no connection except at the center — far from where I want to go. It’s also really, really slow. But it’s much, much, better than what I’ve seen in most places around here.
Most places I know of don’t have much if any sort of public transportation. Period. In some places, it’s just not feasible. However, even having a park-and-ride option in some places would be a big improvement.
2. Walkable sidewalks
Many places don’t even have sidewalks. Where there are some, they’re often in need of major repair and cleaning. They also need to be better lit.
Safe intersections are often wide apart making it hard to get from point A to point B without crossing huge highways. More under-highway passes for pedestrians would be a huge help in a lot of places.
3. More lanes for bikes and mopeds
Yes, you can ride your bike on most roads, but it can be dangerous. Where there are usable sidewalks, it can still be hard because of pedestrian traffic. We need more dedicated bike lanes — as well as perhaps lanes for mopeds and other small vehicles that could get crunched by bigger, faster moving vehicles.
Plus, there really needs to be more in the way of bike racks so that there is somewhere to safely chain up your bike when you get to your destination.
4. More stores offering delivery service
Yeah, most people don’t need an SUV or truck all of the time — but they may need it a few times a month to get stuff home from the store, especially when they have to stock up on groceries in order to make fewer trips.
While internet shopping does give us more options, I’d love to see more local stores that delivered. I could go pick out what I wanted and have it later that day or the next. Heck, even just being able to buy a few toiletries with the delivery pizza could be a good start.
5. Rezoning/decentralization of businesses
The disconnect between where we live and where we work and shop here in the U.S. makes it very difficult to get anywhere without a car. The urban and especially suburban landscape has got to change. It no longer makes sense to expect everyone to drive even 10 minutes to get to the closet store. In some subdivisions, it can take that long just to find your way out to the gated entrance.
This is not going to happen overnight. However, loosening zoning laws will help businesses move into neighborhoods providing more shopping and working options.
6. Rethinking the subdivision maze
I really love that the roads where we live are mostly in a grid. However, we ourselves live on a U. To get to the main road, we have to walk to the end of the U then back around. While there is an advantage to the lack of through traffic, it was really annoying when I wanted to catch the bus — and we’re only two houses down from the entrance of the U.
Yeah, you say that’s no big deal. Really, for us it isn’t — but it makes me realize how annoying it must be for those who live in one of the typical newer subdivisions on the outskirts of town. You can get seriously lost in those mazes. And even if you’re near a major road, you can’t get there easily because of the roads — as well as big wall that probably does more to keep people in than keep people out.
Rezoning might help in this case, but really this is going to be one of the hardest issues to overcome. If anything, planners need to think hard before creating anymore of these mazes.
7. Loosing the stigma about telecommuting
Still — STILL — there is a stigma about telecommuting and working from home. If you work at home, many people think that you just don’t work — whether they are coworkers, strangers, or other people you know. When you’re a couple, it’s still expected that whoever stays at home is the one that takes care of domestic duties, especially taking care of children if there are any. While that can be convenient in some cases, there needs to be more acceptance of the full-time stay-at-home worker who doesn’t have any more time or energy to take care of extra chores than if he or she worked outside of the home.
But the biggest change will have to come in the way of company policies. Thanks to the internet and cell phones, there is a lot of work that people could get done at home. Why not let them do it there? I’d love to see more companies jumping on this opportunity to save us all money. With a company-wide stay-at-home to work day, the company can save money on electricity, not to mention toilet paper.
And if you’re thinking about working from home, consider how much you might save by doing so. It’s not for everyone and it can be hard, but I love working from home.
8. More local stores
Big box stores seem convenient, but they’re not. It takes a lot of time to get to them, then in and out of them. I went to a new Super Walmart the other day and was amazed at how long it took to find something I wanted because there were too many things to pick through. That’s why I much prefer going to a small local store where I may have less choices, but they’re still more than I need.
It’s not just that it’s a time saver for me, or helpful for the local economy. When there are more local stores nearby there are more options within walking distance. My husband and I timed it and it actually takes us the same time to walk to the nearest grocery store as it does to drive there and park.
And we also found out that the prices at the smaller stores are sometimes even better than going to Wally World. It also saves us money in gas and we feel good about helping out the local economy.
9. Driving less in general
Just driving less in general does help when it is an option. This is something that is changing. We decided not to renew our gym membership because we didn’t want to pay for the gas to get there and back. Now we walk and workout at home. We actually get a lot of exercise doing things around the house and yard.
We shop less in general and go out less for entertainment. Instead of going to the movies, we make sure we have plenty on our DVR to watch. Instead of eating out, we eat at home. And yes, it still amazes me how much stuff even I can cook in way less time than it would take to drive to the nearest restaurant and wait for our food — though we did walk to the restaurant the last time we ate out.
This is something that most people can do if they aren’t already. It’s just a matter of getting into new habits — which can be hard. However, I also realize that many people I know have already given up on going out for a lot of things.
10. Better vehicles
Yes, getting better gas mileage is part of the solution — though probably not as big a part as you might think given how much the news media talks about it. There are serious problems with many of the plans out there. Personally, I think that a combination of ideas is what’s going to make the biggest difference. I don’t want to choose between a hybrid and a diesel car that I can convert to bio-diesel. I want a hybrid that can use old french fry grease now.
However, what I don’t want is fuel that takes more fuel to make than I get from it, or that raises the prices of food too much. Still, I’m willing to give any idea some time to work the kinks out. But will someone hurry up and start making fuel out of kudzu before deciding to convert farms from food- to fuel-making machines? Food we still need. Kudzu we don’t.
Your ideas?
O.k., that’s my rant for now. But I’d really like to hear what your ideas are — especially ones that take into account that not everyone lives within walking distance of anything. I know there are at least a few pretty common ones that I haven’t even addressed here, but I could go on for quite some time on this topic.
Tags: Green Living, Impressions, Productivity, Saving Money, Travel
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May 18th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
I TOTALLY agree with #1,2 & 3
#1: Better public transport
It SUCKS in Toronto. It could be a lot better, with more subway lines like in Paris.
#2: Make the sidewalks available - I’ve been to Dallas, Philly and Atlanta and everything they have in common screams: YOU NEED A CAR. You just CAN’T walk without people starin’ at you like you’ve lost your mind and trying to find a sidewalk is a nightmare. Gross.
#3: Bike lanes. YES PLEASE… If I could bike to work in an hour or an hour and a half, I would. Or at least, bike to the train station to take the train to work if it’s too far
Great points
May 18th, 2008 at 9:38 pm
While I agree about better public transit is ABSOLUTELY necessary in the US, there are things that can and should be done in the US.
I’ve lived in LA and not really had a car. It took FOREVER to go anywhere, but when my DH’s car was totalled I managed to survive 1 month without a car in LA. And during my 2 year stint I only drove it to see DH in San Diego!
By the way DH and I have both been hit while riding our bikes commuting in SD and LA. I got up and kicked the car that hit me. DH went over the top of the car. Our roomie has been hit as well. And yet we still bike.
LA as far as I know is CAR capital of the US. Longest commute, worse traffic by FAR, and most necessary to have a car. And yet I lived without. Hmm…
Second, why do people need such large cars? I’d love one, but the rising gas prices has changed my mind substantially. We will stick with our tiny cars because they are a lot cheaper to drive.
My roommate is 31 and has never owned a car, ever. And I doubt he’ll be owning one in the next 2-3 years.
He’s lived A LOT of places US and abroad, he’s filled a passport of places to see. And yet never had a car. He even biked in Houston while working for NASA doing some experiements. So it can be done.
But his opinion? Sure a car is great, but why are mostly one person driving around in an SUV?
DH lived for a year in guelph with a bike. That means he biked all year in Canada. Hmm…so you are telling me that the weather stops biking? Gotta say, it’s that Americans are spoiled. I have to rant because on my street alone there are 5 (yes it’s true) Land Rovers! Who needs a landrovers? Our little corolla and focus make it up the hill fine or we leave it parked in a lot on bad snow days and walk home! GEEZ!
So yes I’m going to rant and rant more. We do need more expensive gas so maybe people will become more aware of what they are doing.
May 19th, 2008 at 9:52 am
Livingalmostlarge,
There are definitely some people who bought SUVs who don’t need them now, but thought they’d need the space or power. However, a lot of people I know with SUVs do use them a lot to transport extra people, tow boats or trailers, or just carry large amounts of stuff whether for work or play. For those that live in the country or participate in a lot of outdoor activities like camping, an SUV can be very useful. Truth be told, while I have no interest in a big SUV now, I can’t imagine my childhood without one.
May 19th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
I would be lost without DC’s metro system (buses and subways). It makes a huge difference on our gas spending. It also helps that I do various things online…which is effectively telecommuting.
I’d say more of that for everyone would be great.
May 19th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
Hi Mrs. Micah,
When I was a kid visiting DC, the public transportation made a huge impression on me — and I’m sure it’s only gotten better. The ability to travel quickly underground seemed almost magical. I still love traveling on subways when I’m somewhere that has them, but that’s pretty rare for me.
May 19th, 2008 at 8:40 pm
So many times I’ve thought about how wonderful telecommuting would be. There are plenty of days when I’m sitting at the office and the only contact I have with my team are through phone/email.
I think there’s a trust issue and the managers at most companies have a hard time believing that employees at home are actually working. For the most part, companies/people just haven’t embraced telecommuting which is a shame.
May 21st, 2008 at 11:26 pm
It definitely has a lot to do with trust. You’d think that people would judge each other by the product of their work and not by how busy they look.
Personally, I think I’m probably more productive at home because, among other things, I want to have something to show for my work.
June 1st, 2008 at 11:28 am
Do you think some still believe the size of a vehicle is a phallic representation? Isn’t a hybrid SUV kind of an oxymoron?
I’ve often though rail systems with minimal stops would be smart. Maybe 1 or 2 on the way to downtown. And have busses funnel in to the rail stops. Some cities have this in Europe and Asia and call it LRT I believe, for light rail transit. These are smaller trains. Not as long or as wide.
Some cities also have a park and ride program, so you can drive to a common place (like a shopping mall) and park your car to switch to a bus.